Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
Introduction
Are you looking for an honest Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review? This cheap 8K drone is currently trending on AliExpress for just $23, but is it a real Xiaomi product or a clever fake? While it is often marketed as the best drone under $30 many buyers wonder if its camera can actually deliver 8K quality. In this transparent guide, we look past the marketing claims to test its real flight stability, battery life, and camera performance. Our goal is to reveal the truth and help you decide if it’s a smart purchase or a waste of money. 🚁
What is this Product? (Real Use Case)
Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
- Before you hit the “Buy” button, you need to know exactly what this is.The A1R 3S Drone is a Toy-Grade Quadcopter designed for absolute beginners.
- Real Use Case: It is perfect for learning the basics of flight—how to take off, how to land, and how to control directions. It is built for fun in the backyard or indoors.What it is NOT: It is NOT a professional photography drone. You cannot use it to film weddings or YouTube travel vlogs. The “Xiaomi” name is often used by sellers to rank higher, but it is actually a generic OEM drone (similar to E88 Pro).
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Price and Deal Update (USA and Dubai Deal) 💸
- Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
- This is currently one of the cheapest drones on the market that includes obstacle avoidance sensors
- ✅ Price in USA: Approximately $23.02
- ✅ Price in UAE (Dubai):Approximately 80 to 90 AED
- ✅ Model: A1R 3S (Brushless Motor Edition)
4 Key Features of A1R 3S Drone
Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
- Here is the breakdown of the features advertised vs reality
1. The 8K Camera Truth
- The box loudly claims “8K Ultra HD”. Let’s be honest: at this price point, 8K is impossible. The real resolution is closer to 720p or interpolated 1080p. It is fine for kids to play with, but the video will be shaky and grainy
2. Laser Obstacle Avoidance
- This is a cool feature for the price. It has a small sensor unit on top that detects walls and obstacles. It helps prevent crashes, which is a lifesaver for new pilots who are just learning to control the drone.
3. Brushless Motors
- Older cheap drones used “Brushed” motors that would burn out quickly. The A1R 3S uses Brushless Motors, which are more powerful, quieter, and last much longer. This is the best feature of this drone
4. Foldable & Portable Design
- It copies the design of the expensive DJI Mini. You can fold the arms and put it in your pocket or the included carrying case, making it very travel-friendly.
Real Pros & Cons (Read Carefully) ⚠️
- Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
| Pros (Advantages | Cons (Disadvantages) |
| ✅ Unbeatable Price:Finding a drone with a camera and sensors for $23 is very difficult. It is extremely affordable. | ❌ Fake 8K Marketing: Do not buy this for the camera quality. The “8K” is just a model name, not the video resolution. |
| ✅ Crash Protection: The obstacle avoidance sensor and included propeller guards make it durable for clumsy beginners. | ❌ Short Battery Life: One battery lasts only **8 to 10 minutes**. I highly recommend buying the “3 Battery Package”. |
| ✅ Brushless Power: The motors are strong enough to fly outdoors in a light breeze (unlike cheaper toys). | ❌ Not Real GPS: While some ads claim GPS, most versions rely on “Optical Flow” (sensors), so it won’t return home automatically from 1km away |
| ✅ Easy to Fly: Features like “One Key Takeoff” and “Headless Mode” make it simple for children to operate | ❌ Lightweight: It is under 250g, which is good for laws, but bad for wind. A strong wind gust can blow it away. |
Who Should Buy / Who Should Not?
- Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
- Who Should Buy
- ✅ Parents: Looking for a cool tech gift for kids or teenagers.
- ✅ Learners: Someone who wants to learn drone controls before buying a $500 DJI drone
- ✅ Fun Seekers: If you just want to fly something around the park for fun.
- Who Should Not Buy
- ❌ Content Creators: YouTubers looking for cinematic footage.
- ❌ Windy Areas: People living near the beach or windy mountains.
- ❌ Brand Loyalists: People expecting genuine Xiaomi build quality and warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
- Q: Is this a real Xiaomi drone?
- Answer:No. Sellers use the “Xiaomi” or “Mijia” keyword for marketing. It is a generic Chinese drone, though the build quality is decent for the price.
- Q: Does the camera connect to my phone?
- Answer: Yes. The manual has a QR code. Scan it to download the App, connect to the drone’s WiFi, and you can see the live video on your phone screen.
- Q: What is the range?
- Answer: The control range is about 100 meters. The video transmission range (FPV) is usually around 30-50 meters.
- Q: Does it have a warranty?
- Answer: Usually, AliExpress items do not have a local warranty. If it breaks, you have to repair it yourself or buy parts.
Final Verdict: My Honest Experience
- Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
- If you judge the A1R 3S as a professional camera drone, it is a failure.But if you judge it as a $23 Learning Tool, it is fantastic.
- The addition of Brushless Motors and Obstacle Avoidance at this price makes it the Best Budget Drone of 2025 for kids and beginners. It flies well, takes okay photos for fun, and won’t make you cry if you accidentally crash it into a tree.
- Overall Rating:8.0/10 (Based on Price vs Features)
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Xiaomi Mijia A1R 3S Drone Review
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Very nice